Secondary battery module

Abstract

A large-capacity battery module may be formed by integrating a plurality of unit cells. The present invention provides a secondary battery module having a plurality of unit cells and connectors for electrically connecting the unit cells, which includes: a spacer set up between the unit cells and the connectors. The secondary battery module can insulate a cap from a connector and maintain a uniform space between the unit cells.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A secondary battery module, comprising:
 a plurality of prismatic unit cells arranged in a spaced-apart array, each cell having a pair of unidirectionally oriented terminals; 
 a plurality of connectors electrically connecting corresponding ones of the terminals of the plurality of unit cells; and 
 a spacer positioned coextensively with the connectors and entirely between the unit cells and the connectors, one major surface of the spacer comprised of a plurality of grooves separated by a plurality of linearly extending intervening ribs that maintain sidewalk of neighboring said unit cells within said spaced-apart array. 
 
     
     
       2. The secondary battery module of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of unit cells comprises an electrode assembly having a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator positioned between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, a case housing the electrode assembly, a cap assembly joined with the case to seal the case, and terminals including a positive terminal and a negative terminal which are electrically connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode protruding from the cap assembly and through the spacer and corresponding ones of the connectors. 
     
     
       3. The secondary battery module of  claim 1 , wherein the linearly extending intervening ribs extend transversely away from the connectors and are positioned between the sidewalls of the neighboring said unit cells. 
     
     
       4. The secondary battery module of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is extended in a length corresponding to the battery module and the spacer is perforated by a plurality of openings through which the terminals of each unit cell penetrate. 
     
     
       5. The secondary battery module of  claim 4 , comprised of the unit cells being inserted into corresponding ones of the insertion grooves. 
     
     
       6. The secondary battery module of  claim 4 , wherein the spacer is aligned on terminal rows formed according to arrangement of the unit cells. 
     
     
       7. The secondary battery module  claim 6 , wherein the spacer is integrated into a single body. 
     
     
       8. The secondary battery module of  claim 2 , wherein the terminals of the plurality of the unit cells are lined up to form a first row and a second row, and the spacer comprises a first spacer and a second spacer mounted corresponding to the first row and the second row, respectively. 
     
     
       9. The secondary battery module of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is formed of an electrically insulating material. 
     
     
       10. The secondary battery module of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is covered with an insulating material on its surface. 
     
     
       11. The secondary battery module of  claim 1 , which is used for driving a motor. 
     
     
       12. A secondary battery module, comprising:
 a plurality of unit cells arranged in a spaced-apart array, each cell having a pair of unidirectionally oriented terminals; 
 a plurality of connectors electrically connecting corresponding ones of the terminals of the plurality of unit cells; and 
 a spacer positioned between the unit cells and the connectors, a first major surface of the spacer comprised of a plurality of grooves separated by a plurality of intervening ribs maintaining sidewalls of neighboring said unit cells within said spaced-apart array, and a second major surface of the spacer sharing a common plane with a multiplicity of the connectors. 
 
     
     
       13. The secondary battery module of  claim 12 , wherein the spacer is covered with an insulating material on its surface. 
     
     
       14. The secondary battery module of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of terminals form a first row and a second row of the terminals, and the spacer comprises a first spacer and a second spacer mounted in correspondence to the first row and the second row, respectively. 
     
     
       15. The secondary battery module of  claim 14 , wherein the first spacer and the second spacer have a shape of a bar extended along the first row and the second row of the terminals. 
     
     
       16. The secondary battery module of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of the unit cells form a first row and a second row of the terminals, and the spacer is one single body disposed to insulate the cap assemblies from the connectors. 
     
     
       17. The secondary battery module of  claim 1 , wherein each of the terminals has a threaded fastener that engages the distal end of the terminal. 
     
     
       18. The secondary battery module of  claim 12 , wherein the spacer is made of an insulating material. 
     
     
       19. The secondary battery module of  claim 18 , wherein the intervening ribs are located entirely between the unit cells and the connectors. 
     
     
       20. A secondary battery module, comprising:
 a plurality of unit cells arranged in a spaced-apart array, each cell having a pair of unidirectionally oriented terminals having different polarities; 
 a plurality of connectors electrically connecting corresponding ones of the terminals of the plurality of unit cells; and 
 a plurality of spacers positioned between the unit cells and corresponding, ones of the connectors, one major surface of each of the spacers comprised of a plurality of grooves separated by a plurality of linearly extending intervening ribs maintaining neighboring said unit cells within said spaced-apart array.